Digital Gee

If my danged knee ever stops whining and I get out there on the bike regularly again, once I pimp my "new" 1989 Trek 1500 I'm going to have to go clipless, right?

I mean, even now, sneaking in little five mile rides here and there, I feel sooooo Fredish on my shiny platform pedals. Didn't bother me on the MTB, and didn't even bother me on the lovingly described "flat bar road bike" known as my Cypress SX.

But the 1500 is clearly a road bike, and a good one at that. It seems sacbicyclist to ride with platforms. I see clipless in my future...and I tremble.

I mean, if I go clipless, can spandex be far behind????

airbrake

So, if platform pedals and street clothes make you look like a fred, what would I look like on my Electra Townie if I went clipless and in latex!

airbrake

Oops, thats spandex not latex! Yikes!!

CrossChain

If you can find flesh colored spandex, nobody will notice that you're OCP'ing in bike shorts. Can't guarantee you'll escape all notice.

Digital Gee

I'm glad you corrected that! I simply didn't know HOW to respond!

All I could think of was...wrong forum perhaps???

BluesDawg

Actually, it's lycra.

Jet Travis

Let's get it straight: The shorts are lyrca. The girlfriend is latex.

Digital Gee

It ain't spandex?

Indolent58

No. That would explain a lot.

centexwoody 

Not necessarily. Last fall I got clipless pedals on my Surly LHT. Had already purchased shoes on sale (the only clipless cycling shoes I've found in size 16!). First ride was 34 miles in an organized event. Then tried commuting with clipless...just didn't work and I didn't want to ride on the other side of the pedals just mashing because it's too inefficient.

At that point I'd been riding with toe clips for a year so knew how much efficiency was gained by using them. But the clipless made me nervous riding in the city - making sure I clipped out when stopping in traffic at lights, stop signs, etc. Never did fall over, just anxiety-ridden about the d*mn shoes.

So I bought some PowerGrips and installed them (after reading about them on BF). These have been a GREAT compromise between the toe clips (too small for my size 16 shoes) and the clipless (too anxiety-producing for my commuting). I have changed out the pedals occasionally to ride clipless on the Surly and if I were going to do 35 miles or more on a single ride, I'd probably re-install the clipless pedals. But for commuting and city-riding or for my weekend 16-20 milers, my PowerGrips are here to stay.

So, no, I don't think there is any inevitability to clipless for your road bike...you don't have to reliquish all your geekiness in one move, dude - at our age you are allowed to hold onto all the 'geeky' you can handle...

Road Fan

Gary, why go clipless? Did Ebay go under? there are loads of top of the line clipped touring, racing, and track pedals out there. Ever check out a Campy C-Record platform pedal? you can get the style points, some good foot positioning, and continue to rage against the dying of the light. If not Campy, there a a number of good other brands. Shimano had some super platform pedals, in ultegra and dura-ace levels with integral toe clips.

Here's a secret: you don't need to have slotted cleats on these pedals, nor do you need to strap yourself in.

Road "snug shoes and loose straps" Fan

Jet Travis

A very quick check of ebay netted these, which seem quite stylish, period-correct, and would go swimmingly with that Brooks saddle DG's thinking about.

https://cgi.ebay.com/MKS-Sylvan-Road-...QQcmdZViewItem

Terrierman

All Lycra is spandex. Not all spandex is lycra. Lycra is a brand name, spandex is a more or less generic term. The only spandex this boy is wearing is in his underwear. Period. Even if I have gone to clipless pedals you don't have to worry yourselves about ever seeing me in a spandex suit. I will spare the world that sight.

About the clipless pedals. DG, they are not as big a deal as I thought they would be to get used to. And if ever there was a person who questioned them, it was me, largely due to concerns over even being able to get my left leg/foot out of them. In reality, no sweat. Still haven't fallen, but planning to, I'm sure when least expected and most embarassing...

stapfam

Wear whatever you like- It won't affect your riding-BUT clipless------

You've got the bike- But now- What Clipless Pedals are you going to buy? Or is that up to us to decide?

DnvrFox

Why the great fear of clipless?

They are no big deal. Takes a couple of tries, about 2 falls, and you are on them for good.

Make your decision on other grounds than FOC (fear of clipless).

Indolent58

The only catch is that the 2 falls have to occur in front of witnesses. If there is no humiliation involved they don't count.

DnvrFox

I guess I will have to fall again! My two came in complete privacy.

Retro Grouch 

Not to worry. With that hair do nobody will ever notice what kind of pedals you're using.

robtown

DG - I will mail you a pair of unused WAM-M919 double sided SPD pedals. If I can find a set of cleats you may have those also. You do have SPD shoes? If not try https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...22&PID=1542015.

oldspark

The important thing is to fall with grace.

centexwoody 

I've never fallen on clipless.

I HAVE fallen twice using the PowerGrips, once due to a car pulling out in front of me and having to swerve, put my foot down and stop all at once, the 2nd slipping on a sidwalk covered in mud that concealed a board under rainwater and my front wheel just slide sideways. Both were on heavily traveled public streets. Neither one resulted in anyone stopping to inquire about my condition. I suppose the blue air surrounding me put them off...

Digital Gee

I found these in my bike parts box. Are they from that period?

spry

DG,you can buy clips and straps for those pedals shown above till you see what your knee is up to.Heard clipless can cause knee issues if the free float(toe in or out adj.) is adjusted wrong.

Keep the latex in the wallet.It serves no function on a road bike.

CrossChain

DG.....Clips may be hard to find these days (and make sure you get the largest size) but you can go to Rivendell to this page:
https://www.rivbike.com/webalog/pedals_clips_straps/

There's something quaintly cool about coming to a stoplight and leaning down to flip your toestrap buckle to loosen things up to put a foot down. Actually, without cleats, there won't be much need, but who will know!

bkaapcke

At your age, Gary, any use of spandex should be limited to the boudoir. Please, not in public. bk